As Richard Gilmore famously said, I too am in autumn. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a great love for all things winter. As a native Floridian, winter is one of the only times of the year where being outdoors is somewhat tolerable. Weather aside, warm spices, seasonal citrus, hearty toppings, and mix-ins are some of the highlights of winter salad recipes. I also love eating dark leafy greens like kale and spinach for extra vitamins to get me through cold and flu season. Check out this season’s diamonds!
Erewhon’s Kale White Bean Salad
Lo and behold, this is the hearty and nutritious salad you’ve been looking for. If there’s one recipe you can eat every day that stems from the TikTok trend of rich bean salads, it’s this hearty white bean, avocado, and pumpkin seed recipe.
roasted cauliflower salad
This is one of those winter salad recipes you can enjoy year-round, but there’s something about seasoned cauliflower that brings warmth to any gathering.
crispy halloumi salad
Food Editor Suruchi says, “Even if you’ve never used halloumi before, you’re welcome. Be prepared to use this ingredient again and again.” This cheese can be grilled (or fried) and paired with your favorite leafy greens and tangy vinaigrette.
mediterranean kale salad
Thick, curly kale leaves appear in early winter, making this vegetable a more nutritious ingredient. While the chickpeas are the star of the show, kale creates a nutrient-rich base for this flavorful salad.
Winter kale salad with apple and gruyere
Gruyère always seems to sneak into my salad recipes and it’s so delicious. Besides the obvious star ingredients, apples and kale add lots of crunch to this winter salad. If there’s ever a recipe for trying kale massage, it’s this one.
Smoky and spicy cauliflower salad
When this recipe was first published, I think I was making it every week for a solid month. From spicy roasted chickpeas and cauliflower to creamy avocado and rich feta cheese, there’s just too much to love.
Squash and farro salad with apple, goat cheese and pecans
Embracing seasonal produce this winter means taking advantage of all the best pumpkin recipes. This squash salad has a warm farro base topped with crunchy pecans and crunchy apples.
Bittergreen, citrus and prosciutto salad
Fun fact: Citrus season is typically from November to April. Often maligned as a summer ingredient, try this citrus salad during the winter months and get ready for a change.
Grapefruit and avocado salad with golden beets, feta and crispy chickpeas
Another citrus moment. This grapefruit and avocado salad is something I love eating straight from the bowl. Maybe it’s the roasted chickpeas, or the golden honey-turmeric dressing. No matter which ingredients motivated you to make this recipe, you won’t regret it.
apple walnut salad
I’m a big fan of arugula and always have it in my fridge, so making this winter salad recipe is easy. This apple walnut salad brings the best flavors of fall, but it’s a salad that’s always on the table during the winter months.
simple citrus salad
If you’re not a fan of complex, multi-ingredient recipes, try brightening up your plate with this simple citrus salad. You can enjoy seasonal ingredients without much effort. Win-win!
White kidney bean and radicchio salad
My radicchio era began when I wrote about Camila Marcus’ pink radicchio salad. After a while, I came across this version using white kidney beans and fell in love with the simplicity of the recipe and the satisfying feeling I felt after eating it.
Spicy winter kale citrus salad
There are endless opportunities to add flavor to salads, but sometimes choosing the right spice level is a must. This recipe uses Thai chili peppers and jalapeños to add a little kick and keep you warm in cold weather.
Shredded kale and cranberry salad with crispy tofu
Cranberries will not run away during the winter. This salad makes the most of cranberries. Add some protein with crunchy tofu and brighten up your bowl with this citrus-ginger dressing.
Holiday Jewels Chopped Kale Salad
If there’s one holiday salad you must make this winter, it’s this Holiday Jewel Kale Salad. With toppings like flavorful pomegranate seeds and a mustard-shallot vinaigrette, this recipe is one to keep in your books for years to come.
Sweet potato and caramelized date salad
As a self-proclaimed sweet potato lover, I’m always looking for opportunities to incorporate this ingredient into my favorite dishes. If you’re in need of a hearty and flavorful salad this winter, we’ve got the salad for you.
Italian chopped kale salad
Chopped salad is a great recipe to bring to the holiday table because it can easily feed a large group. With eye-catching sourdough croutons and a simple Dijon mustard-based dressing, satisfying all your guests has never been easier.
Roasted delicata squash and kale salad
Talk about a great salad! If you’ve been on the squash wave this season, give this recipe a try. Pairing ricotta salata with toasted hazelnuts is a recipe for lots of fun.
Delicata squash salad with marinated pistachios and lentils
When I first started cooking with pumpkin, I was overwhelmed by the amount. Luckily, with dishes like this simple salad with pistachios and feta, no root vegetables go to waste.
cauliflower tabbouleh
This Mediterranean salad is perfect for mixing things up during the winter months. I’m a big fan of all things warm and cozy, but sometimes bright and tangy dishes with ingredients like dill and lemon are great.
Kale and wild rice salad with maple mustard vinaigrette
From the moment I stepped into Cava early in college, I was hooked on adding grains to salads and creating meals. This rice salad from Maria Ricci and Rachel Holzman’s Two Peas & Their Pod Cookbook checks all the boxes for hearty winter salad recipes.
Chicory salad with hazelnuts and Meyer lemon, parmesan vinaigrette
Alison Cain’s recipe is one we keep on repeat all winter long. Served with a simple cheesy Parmesan vinaigrette, it’s the perfect side salad to add to your winter table.
Gluten-free cauliflower tabbouleh
Cooking for your GF can be difficult during the holiday season, but to make things easier for you (and perhaps your guests), throw together this cauliflower tabbouleh as a filling side dish.
kale sourdough panzanella
With a bit of a Mediterranean twist, this kale salad with Ina Garten’s Dijon Garlic Vinaigrette will answer all your cool-weather side salad needs.
Turmeric Roasted Pumpkin Squash Salad
During cold and flu season, it’s a good idea to take anti-inflammatory ingredients. This turmeric squash is a great ingredient to add to salads or eat on its own.
Blood orange and beet salad
Blood oranges give some of the most amazing color I’ve found in winter recipes. Citrus and beets assembled on a bed of Greek yogurt for added protein create a wonderful platter that can double as a table centerpiece.
Zaatar and hummus salmon lentil salad
This roundup wouldn’t be complete without salmon salad (my favorite protein to top a bowl of leafy greens). Inspired by the great food at Austin’s Epicerie, it’s easy to assemble and fun to eat.
Sweet potato and pomegranate seed salad
If you’re still looking for the perfect sweet potato salad recipe, try this recipe with pomegranate seeds and mixed greens. It’s simple but elegant and delicious.
Beet, pomegranate and hazelnut salad
Rounding out this list of great winter vegetables is this beet salad. It’s one of the most unique dishes you can bring to the dinner table. Top with fresh mint and roasted hazelnuts for added crunch.
I have come to the conclusion that my frontal lobe is probably more developed. AKA, when I’m sitting at the dinner table, I hear a sigh of relief escape when I see my salad. While I’d like to eat a bowl of leafy greens any day of the year (and yes, if I were stranded on a desert island, I’d be fine with eating a different salad forever), the colder months are the best part of the year. This is the most appetizing season. I always like to add light and nutritious elements to my meals. Introducing the ultimate list of winter salad recipes, keeping seasonal ingredients and flavors in mind.
